(WASHINGTON) - The chief deputy of the Daviess County Sheriff's Office is under investigation for alleged improper activities.

Sheriff Jerry Harbstreit says Chief Deputy Ronald Morgan has been on paid administrative leave since September 7th. The investigation began at the request of the sheriff.

Harbstreit is not saying what Morgan is being investigated for, but did say the investigation began in February when he learned some information had allegedly been released that compromised a narcotics investigation. That's when the FBI got involved.

The sheriff said the U.S. Attorney's Office, Indiana State Police and his department are all involved in the investigation. Former Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco has also been brought in as a special prosecutor in the case.

Federal authorities are looking at the drug case and state police are looking at possible policy and procedure violations by Morgan.

Sheriff Harbstreit said this has been a difficult time for the Sheriff's Office, but they will continue to perform their duties and "maintain its professional level of service" to the community.

Morgan has been with the sheriff's department for 20 years and had worked his way up through the ranks.

The sheriff says he has known the Chief Deputy even longer than that. He calls this the toughest case he has ever had to deal with personally or professionally, but he says his department is stepping up and doing the job.

Right now the investigation only involves Deputy Morgan and no other officer in the sheriff's department. Deputy Morgan has not been either arrested or charged with any crime.